Browsing by Author "Yeboah, R."
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Item Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Candida Albicans Using Modulators of MDR/CDR Gene Expression(University of Ghana, 2018-07) Yeboah, R.Majority of life-threatening fungal infections in clinics are caused by Candida albicans. The emergence of azole resistance in fungi complicates patient management. In response to chemical stress, C. albicans make transient changes in the gene expression for survival. Notable among these is the upregulation of efflux pump which is known to be the main mechanism of antifungal resistance. Potent therapeutic agents targeting this resistance mechanism are urgently needed. Chemo-sensitization is postulated as one way to overcome antifungal resistance. Endophytic fungi produce bioactive metabolites which are used as chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of this study is to use modulators of CDR and MDRs genes as probes to study chemo-sensitization and resistance phenotypes. Also, fungal metabolites (alone and in combination with chemosensitizers) will be used to reverse antifungal resistance. On analysis of phenotypic switching of the fungal cells in the presence of efflux modulators and phenotypic modifiers, S. cerevisiae was frequently observed to switch phenotypes as compared to C. albicans. Chemical compounds, including, compounds PC04-10, PC04-11, PC04-16 and PC04-23, significantly modified the antimicrobial phenotypes of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and could be considered for use as synergistic partners of antifungal drugs to overcome resistance. Also, it was realized that some compounds including rifampicin, estradiol, PC04-09 and PC04-14 caused resistance. A total of 40 out of 507 bioactive and 90 chemosensitizing extracts were identified from SBF and TEF fungal extracts. In the Rhodamine efflux assay, six compounds were found to inhibit S. cerevisiae efflux, these well trifluoperazine, trifluoprozerazine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, deferasirox and ibuprofen, whereas in C. albicans only the last four out of the six compounds were active. Also, 13 out of 20 chemosensitizing extracts significantly inhibited efflux activity of C. albicans and S. cerevisiae. Thus, fungi are good sources of novel and potent antifungal and chemosensitizing compounds.Item Characterization of Two New Multidrug-Resistant Strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis: Tools for Routine In Vitro Screening of Novel Anti-Mycobacterial Agents(Antibiotics, 2019-01) Arthur, P.K.; Amarh, V.; Cramer, P.; Arkaifie, G.B.; Blessie, E.J.S.; Fuseini, M.S.; Carilo, I.; Yeboah, R.; Asare, L.; Robertson, B.D.Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogen of global public health concern. This threat is exacerbated by the emergence of multidrug-resistant and extremely-drug-resistant strains of the pathogen. We have obtained two distinct clones of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium smegmatis after gradual exposure of Mycobacterium smegmatis mc² 155 to increasing concentrations of erythromycin. The resulting resistant strains of Mycobacterium smegmatis exhibited robust viability in the presence of high concentrations of erythromycin and were found to be resistant to a wide range of other antimicrobials. They also displayed a unique growth phenotype in comparison to the parental drug-susceptible Mycobacterium smegmatis mc² 155, and a distinct colony morphology in the presence of cholesterol. We propose that these two multidrug-resistant clones of Mycobacterium smegmatis could be used as model organisms at the inceptive phase of routine in vitro screening of novel antimicrobial agents targeted against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterial tuberculosis.Item COVID-19 and tertiary students’ knowledge, usage and challenges of using online learning platforms(Cogent Education, 2022) Yeboah, R.The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in most universities engaging in emergency online learning, which they were not adequately prepared for. The emergency nature of the learning process raises questions on how students are able to effectively engage in the process. This study explored undergraduate students from the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Ghana’s knowledge, usage and challenges of using online learning platforms during the 2019 2020 is the second semester of the academic year. The students had to complete all courses online in the middle of the semester because of the pandemic. Five hundred and thirty-eight (538) students participated in the study; a survey was used to collect data from the students. Descriptive statistics (percentages and frequencies) and inferential statistics (t-test) were used to analyse the data. The results show that not all students who took part in online learning knew about online learning platforms, indicating that students were not given the needed training before all courses were migrated to be taught online. Almost half (45%) of the students were not engaged in online platforms for learning before COVID-19, indicating engaging Online learning was a very new experience for many of the students. As a result, some students were not able to use and engage in the online platforms and a lot of them indicated they were not comfortable learning online. Access to internet data (61%), stable electricity (54%), technological equipment (47%), internet connectivity problems (77%) and geographical location (47%) did not allow some students to participate well in online learning.Item Developing a Community-Based Resilience Assessment Model with reference to Northern Ghana(Journal of Integrated Disaster Risk Management, 2014) Antwi, E.K.; Otsuki, K.; Saito, O.; Obeng, F.K.; Gyekye, K.A.; Boakye-Danquah, J; Boafo, Y.A.; Kusakari, Y.; Yiran, G.A.B.; Owusu, A.B.; Asubonteng, K.O.; Dzivenu, T.; Avornyo, V.K.; Abagale, F.K.; Jasaw, G.S.; Lolig, V.; Ganiyu, S.; Donkoh, S.A.; Yeboah, R.; Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G.; Gyasi, E.A.; Minia, Z.; Ayuk, E.T.; Matsuda, H.; Ishikawa, H.; Ito, O.; Takeuchi, K.Faced with adversarial climatic and physical conditions and an inept socioeconomic development priorities, Northern Ghana remains one of the regions that are most vulnerable to climate-related shocks and disturbances in semi-arid Africa. Because of the effect of frequent floods, droughts, and bushfires, entire livelihoods in Ghana’s predominantly smallholder agricultural population are under threat. In this paper, we present a model for community-based resilience assessment. This model was developed through an experiment conducted in selected rural communities in the Tolon and Wa West Districts in the Northern and Upper West Regions of Ghana. This experiment underpinned an ongoing five-year collaborative research project, Climate and Ecosystem Change Adaptation and Resilience Research in Semi-Arid Africa: An Integrated Approach (CECAR-Africa), and involved researchers and scientists from institutions in Ghana and Japan. Drawing on the findings from extensive literature review, field surveys, focus group discussions, unstructured interviews with various stakeholders, and participatory observations, we developed a matrix for assessing the different categories of community resilience (ecological, engineering, and socioeconomic). The outcome of this resilience matrix, herein called an “integrated” assessment model, offers a mix of factors that could improve societal reorganization when faced with shocks or disturbances. The integrated model provides a workable assessment criteria and key indicators for community level resilience assessments. This experiment proved valuable and highly effective in selecting case study communities for CECAR-Africa. The next step will involve the testing and development of similar criteria and indicators to measure household level resilience.Item Exploring work environment factors influencing the application of teacher professional development in Ghanaian basic schools(Cogent Social Sciences, 2020) Abonyi, U.K.; Yeboah, R.; Luguterah, A.W.: This study explored the work environment factors that support or constrain the application of teacher professional development initiatives in Ghanaian basic schools. Utilizing qualitative research paradigm, 15 teachers were purposively selected and interviewed from one educational district in Ghana. Findings from the study showed that headteachers support through the provision of the required teaching and learning resources, peer support through culture of shared norms, beliefs and values and the opportunity to share knowledge during school-based in-service training (INSET), interest and commitment shown by students toward learning, and availability of needed teaching and learning materials supported transfer of learning of teachers. In contrast, lack of time due to rigid and inflexible school timetable, teacher workload, and inadequate teaching and learning resources constrained effective transfer of professional development of teachers. The study concludes that educational policy makers and training practitioners need to support infrastructures that would empower headteachers to be resourceful in order to assist and provide teachers with the required teaching and learning facilities to facilitate the transfer of their learning.Item Feed Intake and Utilization of Soduim Hydroxide-Treated Rice Straw as Affected by Supplements of Cassava Peels and Treated Water Hyacinth(University of Ghana, 2015-07) Yeboah, R.; Amaning-Kwarteng, K.; Adogla-Bessa, T.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Agriculture Department of Animal ScienceSeveral strategies such as chemical treatment and supplementation have been used in an attempt to improve the quality of rice straw as a feed for livestock. Protein and energy supplementation has been shown to improve the nutritive value of straw. Three experiments were conducted on the hypothesis that ensiled water hyacinth, with or without cassava peels, will enhance the utilization of the basal diet of NaOH-treated rice straw and addition of dried cassava peels to ensiled water hyacinth will supply readily available energy and thus improve growth of sheep when fed as a supplement to a basal diet of NaOH- treated rice straw. Experiment one compared the nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention of NaOH- treated rice straw supplemented with: ensiled water hyacinth leave (WHL) diet 1, ensiled water hyacinth whole plant (WHLS) diet 2, ensiled water hyacinth leave + cassava peels (WHLCP) diet 3, ensiled water hyacinth whole plant + cassava peels (WHLS-CP) diet 4 and sodium hydroxide-treated rice straw alone (ENS) diet 5, in 5x5 Latin square design. The difference between nutrient digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber and organic matter for WHL-CP and WHLS-CP was both significant (p<0.05) and both where superior to WHLS, WHL and ENS. For the crude protein digestibility the difference between WHLS and WHL were both significant (p<0.05) and where both superior to WHLS-CP, WHL-CP and ENS. The mean nitrogen retained were also significantly different (p<0.05), the values were1.32±1.5, 2.15±0.8, 3.28±1.5, 2.52±1.6, -4.3±1.9 for WHL, WHLS, WHL-CP, WHLSCP and ENS respectively. Experiment two compared the effect of WHL, WHLS, WHL-CP and WHLS-CP on voluntary feed intake, digestible organic matter in dry matter, and metabolized energy intake and growth rate of djallonke sheep. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in all these measurement. The mean feed intake values were 689.59g/d, 6.59.94g/d, 596.77g/d and 527g/d for WHLS-CP, WHL-CP, WHLS and WHL respectively. The mean values for the metabolized energy (MJ/KgD) intake were 7.6±3.9, 7.3±3.1, 6.6±2.0 and 6.6±1.2 for WHLSCP, WHL-CP, WHLS and WHL respectively. Similar trend was observed for the digestible organic matter digestibility in dry matter. Significant differences were also observed with growth rate, with WHLS and WHL, having a negative growth rate. The studies in experiment three shows that effective degradability of dry matter and crude protein with take into account the flow rate were higher with WHLS-CP and WHL-CP compared with WHLS and WHL. The various diets did have significant difference (p>0.05) on rumen pH. Significant differences (p<0.05) were however observed with the mean rumen ammonia values. The values observed were 4.26±2.5mg/dl, 5.31±0.46mg/dl, 2.23±0.13mg/dl, and 3.31±0.22mg/dl for WHL, WHLS, WHL-CP and WHLS-CP respectively. The result from this study shows that although water hyacinth is high in protein and could be fed as a supplement to poor quality straw, for effective influence on animal performance it should not be fed alone as a supplement but together with rumen un-degradable protein or energy such as cassava peels.Item Game-based learning in Ghanaian primary schools: listening to the views of teachers(International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 2023) Yeboah, R.; Amponsah, K.D.; Mintah, P.C.; Sedofia, J.; Donkor, P.B.K.This research explores how primary school teachers use games to enhance pupils’ learning and development of conceptual knowledge. The study employs an illustrative case study design; data was collected through interviews with thirty (30) teachers who were selected using purposive sampling technique. Twenty teachers had some knowledge of game-based learning, ten teachers, however, did not know anything about the concept game-based learning. The results show that the use of non-digital games of different kinds to engage pupils is common in the learning of Maths, English, and Science. Teachers ascribed positively that the integration of game-based learning motivates pupils to come to school, actively engages them in the learning process, helps pupils to easily assimilate lesson contents, makes lessons lively and fun, and builds collaborative skills amongst pupils. Inadequate resources, noisy classes, time constraints, large class sizes, the reluctance of some pupils to participate, and inadequate knowledge are challenges reported by the teachers.Item In vitro antibacterial activities of selected TB drugs in the presence of clay minerals against multidrugresistant strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis(MATERIALS ENGINEERING | RESEARCH ARTICLE, 2020-01-16) Arthur, P.K.; Amarh, V.; Blessie, E.J.S.; Yeboah, R.; Kankpeyeng, B.W.; Nkumbaan, S.N.; Nkumbaan, E.K.Healing clay is a rich source of diverse minerals. The relevance of these indigenous minerals in the improvement of antibiotic chemotherapy against prevailing bacterial pathogens is yet to be thoroughly explored. In the present study, healing clay from archaeological context was characterized and used in combination with 19 different antibacterial drugs to test their combined in vitro activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 and a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium smegmatis strain. Among the antibiotics tested, the anti-tuberculosis drug, pyrazinamide (Pzd), showed a drastic antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 in the presence of 5 µg/µL of the healing clay, whereas ribosome targeted inhibitors such as gentamicin showed significant reduction in activity in the presence of the healing clay. The resistance phenotype of the MDR Mycobacterium smegmatis strain to ampicillin and isoniazid was reversed in the presence of the healing clay. The activity of the other antibiotics was either unaffected, enhanced or reduced in the presence of the healing clay. The activity of ampicillin and isoniazid against the MDR strain in the presence of the healing clay suggest that healing clay might be a useful synergy for these antibiotics against MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Item Making primary school science education more practical through appropriate interactive instructional resources: A case study of Ghana(Cogent Education, 2019) Yeboah, R.; Abonyi, U.K.; Luguterah, A.W.This instructional resource production project explored low cost and waste materials for developing practical and interactive resources for teaching science at the basic school level. Developing countries, including Ghana, are not able to provide teachers with instructional resources for teaching and learning due to financial constraints. Science in particular is a subject that pupils and students in Ghana generally do not perform well both at the basic and senior high levels which is evident from the end of level examinations over the years. The study used exploratory and descriptive approaches under qualitative research. Convenience sampling was used to select low cost and waste materials to work with, and observation was used to collect data from the production process. The research found that waste materials can be used safely to develop appropriate and useful instructional resources that are very practical for teaching and learning of science lessons. This research projects to science teachers that they can freely turn col lected waste and low-cost materials into useful resources for effective lessons.Item Making primary school science education more practical through appropriate interactive instructional resources: A case study of Ghana(Cogent Education, 2019) Yeboah, R.; Abonyi, U.K.; Luguterah, A.W.This instructional resource production project explored low cost and waste materials for developing practical and interactive resources for teaching science at the basic school level. Developing countries, including Ghana, are not able to provide teachers with instructional resources for teaching and learning due to financial constraints. Science in particular is a subject that pupils and students in Ghana generally do not perform well both at the basic and senior high levels which is evident from the end of level examinations over the years. The study used exploratory and descriptive approaches under qualitative research. Convenience sampling was used to select low cost and waste materials to work with, and observation was used to collect data from the production process. The research found that waste materials can be used safely to develop appropriate and useful instructional resources that are very practical for teaching and learning of science lessons. This research projects to science teachers that they can freely turn col lected waste and low-cost materials into useful resources for effective lessons.Item Safety and Effectiveness of Mist Antiaris, a Herbal Preparation for Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy(BioMed Research International, 2019-07-24) Ocloo, A.; Antwi, S.; Asiedu-Larbi, J.; Martey, O.N.K.; Quasie, O.; Boakye-Yiadom, M.; Ayertey, F.; Yeboah, R.; Sapaty, C.A.; Offei-Abrokwa, D.; Oduro-Mensah, D.; Kumatia, E.K.Mist Antiaris is a herbal decoction for treatment of nervous disorders. Safety and efficacy were evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats and human patients, respectively. Acute toxicity was assessed by administration of a single 5000 mg/kg oral dose of decoction to a group of six rats. For subchronic toxicity, four groups of six rats each received water (control) or 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg oral doses of decoction daily for eight weeks. Body weight, serum, urine, and hematological profile of the animals in each group were monitored over the period. Effects of treatment on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and histology of liver, lung, heart, and kidney tissue were assessed at the end of the study. There was no evidence of acute toxicity within 48 hours of the oral dose. Over the 8-week period, body weight increases in Mist Antiaris treatment groups were reduced relative to the control group. There were no significant differences in urine profile, serum biochemistry, hematological parameters, and pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. Tissue histology revealed no differences relative to controls. Assessment of efficacy was by retrospective review of data on patients who presented with peripheral neuropathy. Treatment resulted in 53.7 % of patients reporting complete resolution and 15.7 % showing reduction in neuropathic symptoms. The data demonstrate that there is no toxicity due to subchronic administration of Mist Antiaris in Sprague-Dawley rats. The reduction or resolution of neuropathic symptoms indicated by patents’ file data provides evidence to suggest that Mist Antiaris has antineuropathic effects.